Needle mounting for knitting machines



Oct. 6, 1953 H. c. NOE

NEEDLE MOUNTING FOR KNITTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1951 nmwww w F 6 4 mm INVENTOR Hero/(1 C Noe BY I I ATwBMY H. C. NOE

NEEDLE MOUNTING FOR KNITTING MACHINES Oct. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1951 INVENTOR.

I/(lfioltl C. Noe

ATTOHAZ'Y Patented Oct. 6, 1953 Haida o; Noe; Upper Montciaii; N; a; aseigiiiii it Kiddie Manufaetiiiin'g' 00., Inc., Bloomfield, N. J a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1951, seriei No. 254364 v 1 The present invention relates to knittiiie (ale; hie'nt hiountings for use in knitting machines" er various kinds which utilize either flit-t or eirpiilar beds of needles and associated elements. ever, for urposes of illli'sti'ation, the inventidii will be described connection withflat type knitting machines, for example, triot' knitting mgehines. H

' The needle bed of a flat knitting machine generaiiy comprises an elongate tar, meins ior mounting afid aligning ihcusands or knitting elements siich' as needles or the like side by side on the bar, and clamping means for maintain ing the needles on the bar in their predetermined arrangement. I

It" desirable that the needles' of Such knit tiiig maehiiie'S be readily removable and replace tile in the event a needle is broken or damaged and re uires removal and replacement by a new needle. It is also desirable that the fieedle bed structures of machines which are operated at high speeds (for example 250 to 500 eyqies' per minute) possess sumeieiit strength to Withstand the forces" to which they are sub ected under coiiditiens of such high speed operation. In order to meet these requirements, oi eforii'i of Iiedle bed iii use at firesefitiitiliz'es lead'bloeks of about one or two inches: in' Width havihg as many as forty fieedles per iiieh cast; ther'ifi. one dbjectioii to such bioek's' is that iii the event a sifigle fieedle'is' brok'en the ehtire'blelt iiiust be removed ahdfi'eplaced. Thi requires that knitt'i'ng'inills have oii'hafld iilar'ge number of spare blocks which of course involves a eons'ideriibie investment. Another objection to such needle blocks is that their use results; in a very heavy needle bed structure which necessitates a heavy frame and bed Supporting structure and sturdy nieolflanism for moving the bed. The high mass of the frame and the moving elements of the operating mechanism limits the speed at which the machine can be safely operated.

Another form of needle bed has been proposed to overcome the difficulties and Objtio'IiS mentioned which comprises a needle bar halving a row of small holes or perforations arranged for receiving the butts of so called butte'd heedles, aiid clamping means for holding the needles in" piece on the bar". While thisfst'ructure' is light in Weight to adapt it for high speed operation and the needles are individually removable and. replaceable, considerable difiiculty is encountered in trying to locate a broken needle and to remove the Same. This due primarily to the" location of the bed and lack OI working Sii'alc' 1'5 Glaiiiis'i (ct se 114) back of the needle bar er a knitting jfifihine when the were thre'etd's are arraii e i, for knit; ting: Aceese to the needles thus is iiimcii t, aria, iii ettembti i'g to iiiek out a brokeh 'rieedle" sine t6 'reiiiov the same, adjeeent need es may be disturbed or bro'kh br' tne'w'ani thre is may be damaged. Coh'sfihrijalif; um neeaie bed structures are inipraetical.

Aeo'r'diiigly, aii'objeei oi the piseht mien: tion is to providea novel and improved knittiiig element mounting for khittiii machiiie'si which ie not Stibjt' to anybf'tne ioreg'oiiieaieadiaii; tgeahd objections, hut et is 112m in wi'eiit; s sumeiei tiy stroiig", end eiiiities; bf'ciliefi oi damaged eleihehts t be removed md'i'efilaeed in eiimiehiei'it ihahher. v

Ahother' objet i to previde' giknitting eieineiit mounting of the for'tiihg eh'aii'aeter which ie simple in censtriieiioii and ecenomicai mine feature and ifis ta1l.

A further ebjeet is to provide Knitting element fiioiihtihg wheieiriine tiiiiiei ne dle or simi ar lrhhts. bereaeny iepl'a'ced tieair as'esisiiy a needle meek biit \i'v'itliii" 1 quiring a large quantity of spare parts other thai'i extra-memes; to be kept on han h A still further ebjeeti's to provide Eii'cl'i a Ehit= ting element meiiniing which can belu iiizea' eoniieetie with t tre of exist ng kfiittihg ei ii ee aesig'i iew for iisiii'g" limiting eiefi ie it hlOdk'S and be embodied ifieiieeiillii deeigiied knitting ele'nieiit tar es's'mbiie.

other aiid iiiitiier'ee ecte of the invention W111 native eihbodiniht about to be described, w'iii in iieated ih the appiiaea claims, hd varioueadventeges' hot referred to herein will occur to ohe'ekilled iii the upon employment eei'foimed or hioldabie material (if like and the needles such as sinkers or plush points and the like.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of the needle bed of a fiat knitting machine such as a tricot knitting machine having needle bed elements in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 on Fig. 2, illustrating in detail the manner in which the shanks of the needles are embedded in the holding members.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a needle assembly.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the invention utilized in connection with an adaptor associated with the needle bar of the type designed for receiving lead needle blocks.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a. portion of a needle bed assembly generally comprising an elongate bar I0, a plurality of butted needles H assembled and supported in the manner about to be described, and a plurality of adjacently disposed clamp members [2 removably secured to the bar by bolts 44 in the customary manner to secure the needles on the bar.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the needles are of the type having a barb or eye [6 at the upper or exposed end, a shank ll of generally oval crosssection and a butt or heel l8 at the other or lower end of the shank adapted to engage a wall or shoulder l9 spaced from and extending parallel to the free or upper edge 20 of the bar 10 along its length. More specifically, the needle shanks and butts as viewed in cross-section herein have flat side walls and have arcuate upper and lower edges or sides. The bar I!) has a generally flat surface 2| between its forward edge and its shoulder IS on which needle holders 22, in accordance with the invention, are adapted to be placed.

The details of one of the needle assemblies including the needles I l and a holder 22 are best illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. As shown, the needle holder is in the form of a generally L-shaped block formed of lead or moldable plastic material comprising a long or shank arm 25, a short or butt arm 26, an outwardly extending projection 21 at the junction of the arms serving to facilitate gripping the holder, a plurality of substantially parallel L-shaped grooves 28 at the irmer surfaces of the arms each adapted for receiving a. needle H, and a rib 29 on the outer surface of the arm preferably parallel to the groove portions in this arm. The shanks fit into the groove portions in the arm 25 and the butts fit into the groove portions in the arm 26. The blocks may be relatively thin and narrow and may be formed with a small number of grooves 28, for example, three as illustrated; but, if desired, the blocks may have a width of about one inch and may be formed with as many as about forty grooves without sacrificing certain advantages of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, the grooves are formed to snugly receive and frictioinally retain the shank and butt of the needles therein, but are substantially unobstructed at the entrance thereof to provide for removing a broken or damaged needle and replacing a new needle. Preferably, the block surrounds all but one side of the needles empty groove with the greatest of ease.

to expose one side of the shank and the butt thereof for engagement by the needle bar surface 21 and the shoulder l9, respectively. Such close fit may be provided by either molding the needles into the blocks or molding the blocks with grooves accurately dimensioned to receive and engage the needles. In order to facilitate removal of the needles from the holder, the butts extend outwardly of the free end of the arm 26 a short distance (Figs. 2 and 4) to enable this exposed portion to be manually or otherwise engaged.

In practice, needle assemblies, as shown in Fig. 4, are provided by either of the aforementioned methods; and, with the clamps l2 removed from the bar 10, are placed side by side on the needle bar with the inner side of the arms 25 superimposed on the bar surface 2| and the inner side of the arms 26 against the shoulder I9, whereby the shanks and butts of the needles engage the surface 2| and the shoulder 19, respectively. A strip 30 of felt or similar material is laid across the outer surface of the arms 25, and the clamps 12 are applied to secure the needle assemblies on the bar with the ribs 29 embedded in the felt strip to prevent sidewise shifting of the needle holding blocks (Fig. 2). The needles so assembled in the bed have their shanks firmly clamped to resist bending forces and have their butts positioned against the shoulder to align the free ends of the needles and to resist forces tending to pull the needles out of the bed during knitting operations.

In the event a needle is broken or damaged and requires replacement, the clamp 12 holding the assembly in which such needle is located is removed, and this assembly is removed from the bed by gripping the extension 21 either manually or by means of tweezers. This removing operation can be readily performed without disturbing the remainder of the needle bed or damaging adjacent needles or the warp threads. The removed assembly can then be taken to a convenient location where the impaired needle may be removed and a new needle may be placed into the Alternatively, the entire assembly including the block and all of the needles may be replaced by a new assembly, and the imperfect assembly may be repaired at leisure after the knitting machine is in operation again to thereby minimize the duraof time the machine is idle. In both instances after an assembly is replaced, the clamp is again secured to put the bed in working order.

The needle bed, so far described, includes a bar I0 specially designed to accommodate the needle assemblies in accordance with the invention. This bar is of light weight construction, and the needle holders by being relatively thin are light in weight whereby a needle bed assembly is provided having a low mass to adapt the bed assembly for high speed knitting operations.

In Fig. 5, a needle bed assembly isilluStrated wherein the present invention is utilized in connection with a needle bar element 31 designed for receiving the customary leaded needle blocks. This element has a lengthwise extending recess 32 therein which is now used for receiving a lengthwise extending rib or projection 34 on one side of an adaptor bar 35 preferably formed of lightweight metal or suitable plastic materiala The opposite side of the bar 35 is formed with a wall or shoulder 36 which corresponds in function to the shoulder [9 (Figs. 2 to 4) and thus is adapted to provide a stop for the butts of the access? needles and the butt arm of theholders. Each needle. assembly corresponds to that shown in Fig. 4-, and removal and. replacement effected inthesamefmanner as described in. connection with the embodimentillustratedin Figs. 1 to 4;

The term buttedneedles as, .usedherein and the appended claims is intended to. include needles. of. the type generally known as. elbow needles, such needles having an. offset. shank {1011's tion. nrovideduwitha butt at. the end-thereof... From the fore oin descriptiomit. will be seen that the present invention provides novel, im-i proved needle mounting and supporting structure which/sis usefulgin'eonnection with new or existing needle bars of knitting machines. The structure has all the desirable features; namely, lightweight, ruggedness and adaptability for rapid and easy repair, and does not have oneor more of the objectionable features of the structures heretofore proposed. The structure, in accordance with the inventionjis simple andjeconomical, and improves the overall economy in operating the. knitting machines. to which it is applied both from an operating and maintenance view oi t As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is tobe interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A knitting element assembly of the class described consisting of a member formed with L-shaped grooves on the surface thereof, and a plurality of butted knitting elements each having a shank portion and a butt portion removably embedded in one of said grooves of said member.

2. A needle assembly of the class described consisting of a member having an L-shaped needle bed engaging surface, and a plurality of butted needles each molded in said member with one side thereof exposed on the needle bed element engaging surface to removably embed said needles in said member.

3. A needle assembly of the class described consisting of a member formed of moldable material having an L-shaped needle bed engaging surface, and a plurality of butted needles each having a shank portion and a butt portion molded in said member with at least one side of said shank and butt portions exposed on the needle bed element engaging surface of said member to removably embed said needles in said member.

4. A needle assembly adapted for attachment to a needle bed element of a knitting machine, said assembly comprising a needle holding member having a surface on one side thereof arranged to face the needle bed element and formed with a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, and butted needles each having a shank portion removably embedded in one of said grooves and having a butt portion extending outwardly of said surface in the direction of the needle bed element.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said member has a projection of the side opposite said first mentioned side thereof.

6. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said member has a portion extending outwardly beyond said shanks at the butt end thereof.

7. A needle assembly adapted for attachment to a needle bed element of a knitting machine, said assembly comprising a substantially L- shaped needleholding member having.abair. of arms provided with portions of aplurality of sube stantially parallel. L..-shaped grooves at the inner surfaces thereof, and anL-shaped-needlefor each groove having a shank anda buttisaidneedles having a. portion of their: shanks removably em bedded in; the; portion of the grooves'formed in one of. said arms and. having a. portion-citizen butts. removably embedded inthe portion of the rooveswformedzin said other arm. assembly. according toaclaim. '7, wherein said member has a projection on the outensur face OfzSlid'fiIHl. V I ..9.-

assembly accordin to claim-1;. wherein aid member has .an. outwardly extending proiection at theiunction or. said arms. .10- .As an article of. manufacturaa needle; as

mbly a pted for attachment to azneedlo bed,

element-of a knitting machine, said assembly comprising a substantially L-shapedneedlehold in m mber having'a pairof armsprovided with Portions. of aplurality'of substantially parallel LgShflDBd'EIOOVBS at 1311611111181? surfaces thereof, aving. a rib on the outerz'surface of one-or sald arms,- and haying; an outwardly extending 'pro- J' CtiQn, at thev jun tionof; said arms;' and' an L-shaped needle for each groove having a shank and a butt, said needles having a portion of their shanks removably embedded in the portion of the grooves formed in said arm having the rib thereon and having their butts removably embedded in the portion of the grooves formed in said other arm.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein one of said arms is substantially longer than said other arm, said longer arm being formed with the groove portions for receiving said shank portions and said shorter arm being formed with the groove portions for receiving said butts, and wherein said member is formed of moldable material surrounding all but one side of said needles to expose one side of said needle at the surface in which said grooves are formed for engagement with the needle bed element.

12. A needle bed assembly for knitting machines comprising a needle bed element having a shoulder and a needle holder supporting surface, a needle holding member having a surface superimposed on said first mentioned surface and formed with a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, butted needles each having a shank portion removably embedded in one of said grooves and having a butt portion engaging said shoulder, and clamping means for engaging said needle holding member to mount the same on said needle bed element.

l3. A needle bed assembly for knitting machines comprising a needle bar having a flat surface and a shoulder at one end of said surface, a needle holding member of L-shaped cross-section having a flat surface superimposed on said first mentioned surface and being formed with L- shaped parallel grooves, butted needles each having a shank portion and a butt portion removably embedded in one of said grooves with one side of said shank portions contacting said first men tioned surface and one side of said butts engaging said shoulder, and clamping means for engaging said needle holding member to secure the same on said needle bar.

14. A needle bed assembly for knitting machines comprising a needle bed element having a recess therein, an adaptor member adjacent said element having a projection on one side thereof extending into said recess and having on the opposite side thereof a needle holder supporting surface and a shoulder, a needle holding member having a surface superimposed on said first mentioned surface and formed with a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, butted needles each having a shank portion removably embedded in one of said gooves and having a butt portion engaging said shoulder, and clamping means for engaging said needle holding member to secure the sameand said "adaptor member on said needle bed element.

15. A needle bed assembly for knitting machines comprising a needle bar having a, lengthwise extending recess therein, an adaptor bar a'd- Jacent said needle bar having a, projection at one side thereof extending into said recess and having on the opposite side thereof a needle holder supporting surface formed with a lengthwise extending recess providinga shoulder, a needle holding member of L-shaped cross-section having a pair of arms one of which extends into said recess of said adaptor bar and the other of which is superimposed on said surface of said adaptor bar, said arms having portions of L-shaped parallel grooves formed on the inner surfaces thereof, an

L-shaped needle for each groove having a shank and a butt, said needles having their butts removably embedded in the portion of said grooves formed on the surface of said annrwhich extends into said adaptor bar recess and engaging said shoulder and having a portion of their shanks removably embedded in the portion of said grooves formed on the surface or said other arm and contacting said adaptor bar surface, and clamping means for engaging said needle holding member to secure the same and said adaptor bar on said needle bar.

HAROLD C. NOE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,326,555 Wilkins Dec. 30, 1919 1,916,676 Lange July 14, 1933 2,005,674 Gastrich June 18, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 606,837 France Mar. 15, 1926 

